Device and method for controlling the turn-off of a solid state switch (sgto)

ABSTRACT

A circuit for turning OFF a thyristor. The circuit includes at least one first circuit element configured to provide a high reverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate for a predetermined period of time. Immediately following the predetermined period of time, at least one second circuit element provides a normal reverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate. The normal reverse turn-OFF voltage is substantially lower than the high reverse turn-OFF voltage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling theturn-OFF of a solid state switch, and especially a thyristor, GTO orSGTO.

2. Background of the Related Art

Thyristors are turned ON by a gate signal. Once the gate signal isremoved, the thyristor remains in the ON-state until the current flowingthrough the thyristor falls below a certain threshold value. Thus, GateTurn-Off Thyristors (GTOs) can be turned ON by a gate signal of apositive current pulse between the gate and cathode terminals, andturned OFF by a gate signal of negative polarity between the gate andcathode terminals. However, GTOs suffer from long switch OFF times.After the turn-OFF current terminates, there is a long tail time whereresidual current continues to flow until all remaining charge from thedevice dissipates.

A number of devices have been developed to aid in the turn-OFF ofthyristors, such as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,640 to Coenraads etal., U.S. Pat. No. 6,597,555 to Gruening et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,73to Hobi, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,921 to Steigerwald. However, thesepatents do not improve the turn-OFF characteristics of the solid stateswitches. In addition the assignee, Silicon Power, turns OFF its SuperGate Turn-Off Thyristor (SGTO) by applying a −9 volt pulse.

One of the factors affecting the turn-OFF characteristics of the solidstate switches is the gate current DIg/DT value which is limited by thegate drive circuit inductance, the gate inductance of the device and bythe reverse blocking voltage capability of the gate-cathode junction (inthe present case by −9V). So a turn-OFF pulse that exceeds the reverseblocking voltage capability of the gate-cathode junction (in our case by−9V) continuously will put the junction of the thyristor into avalanchebreakdown and the gate drive will supply high current through junction.This will affect the solid state switches temperature and switches canbe destroyed. To avoid that, designers will apply a −9 volt pulse toturn OFF a thyristor. Consequently, there is still a need to increasethe turn-off current value and reduce the OFF times for GTOs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to provide a system,method and circuit for reducing the switch OFF times, turn-OFF losses,increase turn-OFF current value of solid state switches, and especiallyGTOs and super GTOs.

In accordance with these and other objects, a circuit is provided toturn OFF a thyristor having a gate. The circuit includes at least onefirst circuit element and a second circuit element. The first circuitelement provides a first reverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gatefor a predetermined period of time. The second circuit element providesa second reverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate following thepredetermined period of time. The second reverse turn-OFF voltage issubstantially lower than the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of theintended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent whenreference is made to the following description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram for turning OFF a thyristor in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2E are signal diagrams showing the timing of various pulses ofthe control circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a pulse diagram for the circuit of FIG. 1, showing the initialshort high reverse gate voltage pulse added to the normal turn OFF gatevoltage;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an SGTO turn-OFF by a standard −9 Voltsignal;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a −9 Volt turn-OFF of an SGTO, with devicefailure;

FIG. 6 is a signal diagram showing an −18 Volt turn-OFF for the SGTO ofFIGS. 4 and 5; and

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the generic features of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in thedrawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that eachspecific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in similarmanner to accomplish a similar purpose. Several preferred embodiments ofthe invention are described for illustrative purposes, it beingunderstood that the invention may be embodied in other forms notspecifically shown in the drawings.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a non-limiting illustrative exampleof a circuit 100 used to increase the turn-OFF capability of a device,namely an SGTO. The circuit 100 includes a thyristor 200, fourtransistors 110, 120, 130, 140, a low reverse gate voltage power supply102, and high reverse gate voltage power supply 108. The transistors110, 120, 130, 140 can be any suitable switch or transistor includingfield effect transistors (FET) such as MOSFETs or IGFETs. The first,second, third and fourth transistors 110, 120, 130, 140 each have arespective gate 112, 122, 132, 142, drain 114, 124, 134, 144, and source116, 126, 136, 146.

As shown, the low reverse gate voltage 102 is connected to the drain 114of the first transistor 110. The source 116 of the first transistor 110is connected to the drain 134 of the third transistor 130, and to thegate 202 of the thyristor 200 to be turned OFF. The source 136 of thethird transistor 130 is connected to ground 104 and to the source 116 ofthe fourth transistor 140. The drain 144 of the fourth transistor isconnected to a first end of the gate current liming resistor 106. Asecond end of the gate current liming resistor 106 is connected to thecathode 204 of the thyristor 200 and to the source 126 of the secondtransistor 120. The drain 124 of the second transistor 120 is connectedto the high reverse gate voltage 108. The transistors 110, 120, 130, 140are configured to operatively connect either or both of the low reversegate voltage 102 and the high reverse gate voltage 108 across the gateand cathode junction 202, 204 of the thyristor device 200 beingcontrolled, to turn the thyristor ON and OFF. The resistor 106 limitsthe turn-ON gate current.

The operation of the circuit 100 of FIG. 1 is best described withrespect to the control signal pulses shown in FIG. 2. The voltage on thegate-cathode terminals 202, 204 of the thyristor 200 is shown in FIG.2A. FIGS. 2B-2E show the voltage signals Q1-1, Q2-2, Q3-3, Q4-4 on thegates 112, 122, 132, 142 of the transistors 110, 120, 130, 140,respectively. The signals Q1-1, Q2-2, Q3-3, Q4-4 shown in FIGS. 2A-E arealigned vertically in the embodiment shown, to illustrate the respectivetiming of the signals with respect to each other.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gates Q1-1 and Q4-4 112,142 are turned ON at a first time period 302 to create a turn-ON pulse.Thus, Q1-1 and Q4-4 are ON, so there is a low voltage across them,whereas Q2-2 and Q3-3 are OFF, so there is a high voltage across them.When the gates 112, 142 are turned ON, the turn-ON current flows throughQ1-1, gate to cathode, gate current limiting resistor, and Q4-4. That,in turn, applies a turn-ON voltage across the gate and cathode terminals202, 204. That turn-ON pulse turns ON the thyristor 200.

At the second time period 304, a turn-OFF pulse is generated to turn OFFthe thyristor device 200. Here, the voltage is applied in reverse to thegate and cathode terminals 202, 204, so that the negative voltage turnsOFF the thyristor 200. Accordingly, Q1-1 and Q4-4 (FIGS. 2B and 2E) areturned OFF and Q2-2 and Q3-3 (FIGS. 2C and 2D) are turned on, whichapplies the short high reverse gate voltage 108 pulse to thegate-cathode terminals 202, 204. The positive voltage goes to thecathode 204, and the negative voltage goes to the gate 202, which turnsOFF the thyristor 202. The turn-OFF voltage pulse is applied for anysuitable period of time, such as 1-2 microseconds in duration, and canbe any suitable amplitude, such as −18 volts as shown in FIG. 2A.Because of the short period of time, the turn OFF voltage can exceed theavalanche value of the gate-cathode junction because this junction(being flooded with carriers) does not immediately block the voltage.Also, the device can thermally absorb the additional avalanche powerdissipation for his short period of time.

At a third time period 306 following the high turn-OFF voltage pulse108, a normal voltage is applied to the gate 202, such as −9-volts asshown in FIG. 2A. At that point, Q3-3 (FIG. 2D) is turned OFF and Q1-1(FIG. 2B) is turned ON. That provides a 9-volt differential between thehigh reverse gate voltage 108 (of 18 volts) and the low reverse gatevoltage (of 9 volts), which applies a 9-volt pulse to the thyristor gate202 in the reverse direction. When Q3-3 and Q4-4 are OFF and Q1-1 andQ2-2 are ON, a normal reverse gate voltage of −9 volts (i.e., the highreverse gate voltage 108 minus the low reverse gate voltage 102) isapplied to the Gate-Cathode terminals 202, 204.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the thyristor response to the signals of FIG. 2is shown. In particular, FIG. 3 shows the gate voltage 410 at thethyristor gate 202, the thyristor voltage 420 (across the anode-cathodeterminals of the thyristor) and the thyristor current 430. Starting atthe left side of FIG. 3, gates 112 and 122 are ON and gates 132 and 142are OFF, which results in the gate voltage 412 being a normal negativevoltage (e.g., −9 volts). That keeps the thyristor 200 OFF until anotherturn-ON pulse is applied to the gate of the thyristor 200.

At time period 402, the gates 112 and 144 are turned ON. In response,the gate voltage 414 becomes positive (e.g., 9 volts in the embodimentshown) and the thyristor device 200 is turned ON. During that ON time,the voltage across the device 420 remains low, and the device current432 rises. The thyristor 200 is kept ON until the turn-OFF pulse isapplied on the gate of the thyristor 200. The device can fail at anytime between 404 and 405 if the negative signal is not enough to keepthe thyristor 200 OFF.

At the end of the first predetermined time period (i.e., period 404 inthe embodiment of FIG. 3), the first and fourth gates 112, 142 are OFFand the second and third gates 122, 132 are turned ON. This results inthe reverse high peak current voltage 416 from the high reverse voltagepower supply 108 FIG. 1. Accordingly, this corresponds to 304-306 inFIG. 2, i.e., −18 volts being applied to the gate 202. This high voltage(−18 volts) increases the di/dt and amplitude of the negative gatecurrent. In response, the device current 434 drops and the device 200 isturned OFF. The high peak turn-OFF current voltage 416 lasts for asecond predetermined period of time, from time period 404 to time period405, when the turn-OFF signal −9V applied on the gate of thyristor 200.Following that predetermined period of time, at time period 405, thegates 132 and 142 are turned OFF and the gates 112 and 122 are turnedON. In response, the gate voltage 418 is returned to a normal turn-OFFvoltage (i.e., −9 volts) and stays OFF until another turn-ON pulseapplies on the gate of the thyristor 200. Thus, the turn-OFF time 407for the thyristor device 200 is represented by the difference betweentime periods 404 and 405 in FIG. 3.

In the illustrative non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 3, for theSGTO which has an avalanche of about 9V volts, the high peak turn-OFFvoltage 416 is set at about 18 volts and the predetermined turn-OFF time404-408 is less than about 5 microseconds and preferably about 2microseconds. The normal turn-OFF voltage is preferably about −9 volts.In that case, the turn-OFF time for the thyristor device 200 isapproximately 9 microseconds. Thus, the application of a high-peakreverse voltage 416, in combination with the normal reverse turn-OFFvoltage 418 (i.e., −9 volts) results in a faster turn OFF time byapproximately 4 microseconds.

Depending on a particular application and the device 200 beingcontrolled, the user can vary the values for the normal turn OFFvoltage, high reverse voltage 108, and the turn OFF time period 405.With normal turn-OFF gate voltage, the turn OFF capability of the SGTOwas measured to be 360 A and with initial short high reverse gatevoltage pulse, as shown on FIG. 3, the turn-OFF capability was greaterthan 509 A and can be as high as up to 600 A.

However, in certain applications the turn OFF voltage could be well over18 volts, and the turn OFF period can be greater or less than 2microseconds. For instance, where the GTO has a blocking capability of25 volts, the normal turn OFF might be −20 volts and the high peakreverse voltage could be −40 volts. Still further, though a single highpeak reverse turn-OFF voltage 108 is provided, it should be recognizedthat the turn-OFF voltage can step down over two or three periods oftime. For instance, the turn-OFF voltage can be at a first level (e.g.,−18 volts) for a first period (e.g., 1 microsecond), then at a secondlevel (e.g., −14 volts) for a second period (e.g., 2 microseconds), thento the normal turn-OFF (e.g., −9 volts).

Some considerations in determining the maximum high peak gate turn-OFFvoltage and pulse duration includes the features of the solid stateswitch to be turned OFF, such as the storage time, fall time and tailtime of the thyristor 200. These dictate how much energy the device canaccept during turn-OFF. The invention is suitable for any inductance ofthe gate drive circuit and inductance of the gate of the device.

Accordingly, to turn-OFF the thyristor device 200, the invention appliesan initial short high reverse gate voltage pulse 416 (i.e., −18 volts)during turn OFF, which exceeds the normal reverse blocking voltagecapability 412 (i.e., 9 volts) of the gate 202. This higher voltageapplied at the initiation of the turn OFF (FIG. 2A, at time period 304),improves the turn OFF capability by increasing the gate current DIg/DTand the instantaneous value of the current flowing through the gate 202.Any suitable di/dt can be provided by changing the amplitude of the highshort pulse. The circuit exceeds the reverse blocking capability of thegate 202 by limiting the duration (to approximately 2-3 microseconds)for the high voltage pulse to the time period where the gate is floodedwith carriers and has not yet achieved a blocking state. That drives thegate current up very quickly. And, it is driven up higher due to theadded driving voltage (18 volts compared to 9 volts). The high voltage,negative turn OFF voltage 108 exceeds the avalanche voltage of thegate-cathode junction 202, 204, and is applied before that junctionenters avalanche mode and blocks voltage. Directly following the highreverse gate voltage pulse 416, the circuit 100 returns to provide anormal turn-OFF voltage 418 (i.e., −9 volts) to complete the turn-OFF ofthe device 200.

The invention provides several advantages, including a higher currentturn-OFF capability, and lower turn-OFF storage time and switchinglosses. In addition, a higher inductance in the gate circuit 202 can betolerated.

In addition, while the invention is shown as being implemented bytransistors 110, 120, 130, 140, it can be implemented by any suitablecircuit elements including analog, solid state and digital. Forinstance, the invention can be implemented by a processing deviceoperated by software and having a memory storage device, and display. Itis further noted that the application of the final normal turn-OFFvoltage 418 ensures that the thyristor 200 remain OFF.

However, it should be noted that this voltage can be higher or lower andneed not be provided if the high turn-OFF voltage 416 substantiallyturns OFF the device 200.

Turning to FIG. 4, a signal diagram is shown to illustrate the turn-OFFof an SGTO with a −9 volt gate voltage. The SGTO current 501, Gatevoltage 503, and SGTO reapplied voltage 505 are shown. Here, the maximumSGTO current is 168 amps and the maximum SGTO reapplied voltage is 2,660volts. At time 502 a gate voltage of −9 volts is applied. At 504 (1.4μsec after 502) the SGTO starts to block voltage. At 1.8 μsec theemitter cleans out and oscillations start. When voltage across SGTOexceeds the source voltage at 3.25 μsec, the SGTO current begins tofall. This causes the emitter junction to avalanche and oscillationsstop. At 4.4 μsec the emitter junction comes out of avalanche and theoscillation start again. In FIG. 5, the −9 volt signal is not enough toturn OFF the device, so the device fails.

Referring to FIG. 6, a −18 volt signal is applied to turn OFF the SGTO(instead of −9 volts) at time 540. At 14 μsec after 540 at 542 point theSGTO starts to block voltage. At 1.6 μsec the gate current exceeds theSGTO current and the emitter cleans out causing the oscillations tobegin. When voltage across SGTO exceeds the source voltage at 3.2 μsec,the SGTO current begins to fall. Since the gate current cannot changeinstantaneously the difference between the gate current and the SGTOcurrent avalanches the emitter junction and oscillations stop. At 12μsec the −18 volts is reduced to −9 volts the emitter junction comes outof avalanche at 13.6 μsec and the oscillation starts again. Because −18volts is used instead of −9 volts the DIg/DT (note that DIg/DT=gatevoltage/gate circuit inductance) of the gate current is increased.Although not shown in FIG. 4, as explained for FIG. 6 the point at whichoscillations begin is where the gate current exceeds the SGTO current.Since −18V doubles the DIg/DT of the gate current, the time for the gateto reach the SGTO current (168 A) is 0.9 μs. This is one half of 1.8 μstime shown on FIG. 4. For a given SGTO current, the increased DIg/DTreduces the storage time (and the turn-OFF time). Thus, the turn-OFFcurrent capability in the present illustrative non-limiting embodimentis 248 amperes, and the reapplied voltage capability is 3,100 volts. Itshould be appreciated that the invention has higher turn-OFF speed,current and voltage capability, and is not limited by the illustrativevalues given here. Thus, the invention provides faster turn-OFF with ahigher turn-OFF current capability and higher reapplied voltagecapability.

Turning to FIG. 7, an alternative circuit is shown in accordance withthe invention. In this illustrative non-limiting embodiment, the circuitincludes two switches. The first switch is coupled with a normal −9 voltsource, and the second switch is coupled with a high −18 volt source. Aturn-ON signal switch is also provided. The switches can be operated toconnect either the −9 volt or −18 volt supply to the gate and/or cathodeof a device, to implement the operation of the present invention wherebya high −18 voltage signal is applied for a short period of time,followed by the −9 voltage signal to turn-OFF the device. For instance,to turn on the SGTO, the turn-ON signal is applied to the gate andcathode. To turn-OFF the SGTO, the −18V signal is applied for a giventime duration and then the continuous −9V is applied across the gate andcathode. Still other circuits can be provided to implement the operationof the present invention, within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The foregoing description and drawings should be considered asillustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerousapplications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in theart. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specificexamples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may beresorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

1. A circuit for turning OFF a thyristor having a gate, said circuitcomprising: at least one first circuit element configured to provide afirst reverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate; and at least onesecond circuit element configured to provide a second reverse turn-OFFvoltage to the thyristor gate, wherein the second reverse turn-OFFvoltage is different from the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 2. Thecircuit of claim 1, wherein the second reverse turn-OFF voltage is about−9 volts, and the first reverse turn-OFF voltage is about −18 volts.3-4. (canceled)
 5. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the at least onefirst circuit element comprises at least one transistor.
 6. The circuitof claim 1, wherein the at least one second circuit element comprises atleast one transistor.
 7. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the at leastone first circuit element comprises a first and the at least one secondcircuit element comprises a second-switch.
 8. The circuit of claim 1,wherein the gate of the thyristor does not enter avalanche mode. 9.(canceled)
 10. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the first reverseturn-OFF voltage substantially reduces current in the thyristor.
 11. Amethod for turning OFF a thyristor having a gate, said methodcomprising: providing by at least one first circuit element a high firstreverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate; and providing by atleast one second circuit element a second reverse turn-OFF voltage tothe thyristor gate, wherein the second reverse turn-OFF voltage isdifferent from the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 12. A circuit forturning OFF a thyristor having a gate and a cathode, said circuitcomprising: a low reverse gate voltage power supply; a high reverse gatevoltage power supply; a first switch connected to the thyristor gate andthe low reverse gate voltage power supply; a second switch connected tothe thyristor cathode and the high reverse gate voltage power supply; athird switch connected to the thyristor gate; and a fourth switchconnected to the thyristor cathode; wherein said circuit provides a highreverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate for a predeterminedperiod of time when the first and fourth switches are OFF and the secondand third switches are ON; and wherein said circuit provides a normalreverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate immediately following thepredetermined period of time when the third and fourth switches are OFFand the first and second switches are ON.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein the providing of the second reverse turn-OFF voltage isperformed after the providing of the first reverse turn-OFF voltage. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein the providing of the second reverseturn-OFF voltage is performed immediately following the providing of thefirst reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein thesecond reverse turn-OFF voltage is lower than the first reverse turn-OFFvoltage.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the second reverse turn-OFFvoltage is 50% lower than the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 17. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the second reverse turn-OFF voltage issubstantially lower than the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 18. Thecircuit of claim 1, wherein the at least one second circuit element isconfigured to provide the second reverse turn-OFF voltage after the atleast one first circuit element provides the first reverse turn-OFFvoltage.
 19. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the second reverse turn-OFFvoltage is lower than the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 20. Thecircuit of claim 1, wherein the second reverse turn-OFF voltage is 50%lower than the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 21. The circuit of claim1, wherein the second reverse turn-OFF voltage is substantially lowerthan the first reverse turn-OFF voltage.
 22. The circuit of claim 1,wherein: the at least one first circuit element is configured to providethe first reverse turn-OFF voltage to the thyristor gate for apredetermined period of time; and the at least one second circuitelement is configured to provide the second reverse turn-OFF voltage tothe thyristor gate following the predetermined period of time.
 23. Thecircuit of claim 22, wherein the thyristor further comprises a cathodeand a gate-cathode junction, wherein the predetermined period of time isa time over which the gate-cathode junction does not block the firstreverse turn-OFF voltage and then, if it does block the first reverseturn-OFF voltage, a further time over which the thyristor can dissipateavalanche power.
 24. The circuit of claim 22, wherein the predeterminedperiod of time is less than about 5 microseconds.
 25. The circuit ofclaim 22, wherein the predetermined period of time is 2 microseconds.26. The circuit of claim 22, wherein the second reverse turn-OFF voltageimmediately follows the predetermined period of time.